Volume 1, Chapter 7: The Decision

Ken and Lily sat on a stone ledge at the base of Daphne’s Gate. Sunlight filtered softly through the canopy above, casting a golden glow over the ancient structure and giving the place an almost mystical aura. Lily seemed deep in thought, her gaze distant, until she finally turned to Ken, her eyes filled with resolve.

“Ken, I’ve thought a lot about all of this,” she began, looking at him intently, as if trying to find an unspoken answer in his eyes. “I think the only real option we have is to head to the Western Temple of the Goddess Daphne.”

Ken, as usual, took the news with a casual smile, though curiosity clearly danced in his eyes.

“The Western Temple? You sure we’ll find answers there?” he asked, stretching out his legs and leaning back on his hands.

“It’s an ancient sanctuary, like this place,” Lily explained, nodding toward the stone gate behind them. “There’s another gate there, only it’s much older, and the temple around it lies in ruins. Inside the temple is the Stone of Power - it reveals the magical energy of anyone who touches it. If there’s magic within you, it might help explain why you were brought here.”

Ken smirked, unsure how to take that. The idea of himself touching some mystical artifact seemed absurd.

“Sounds cool, but I’m afraid I don’t exactly scream ‘magical hero.’ What if the Stone of Power decides I just wandered in here by accident?” He laughed, and although Lily tried to keep a straight face, she couldn’t help smiling in return.

“There’s also the temple’s High Priest, a man named Torgen,” she added, suppressing her grin. “He knows a lot about portals and summoning rituals. If anyone can shed light on how you ended up here, it’s him.”

Ken nodded, her logic making sense.

“Okay, let’s say Torgen’s our guy. How long’s the trip?”

“About fifteen days on foot,” Lily replied calmly. “It’s a long journey. We could head straight to the capital instead, but that would take over a month. The temple’s a better first step.”

Ken tilted his head thoughtfully, watching her closely, trying to gauge just how serious she was about all this.

“Fifteen days, huh…” He paused, then suddenly leaned toward her with a mock-serious look. “So, basically, my life is in your hands for the next two weeks, Lily? I can trust myself to be a great warrior, can’t I?”

Lily blushed, quickly looking away to hide her surprise.

“I… of course, I’ll do everything I can to protect you,” she murmured, gathering her thoughts. “You… you can rely on me.”

Ken chuckled, clearly pleased by her reaction.

“Good to hear! Honestly, I think you’re way more confident about this than I am,” he said, teasing just a bit, though his voice was filled with genuine gratitude. “Lily, thank you. You’ve helped me from the very start, even though you didn’t have to. You stood by me when I was completely alone in this world, and now you’re willing to guide me through this whole journey. I don’t even know how to repay you.”

Lily’s face turned redder, but she tried to respond clearly despite her flustered state.

“Ken, you don’t need to thank me. It’s just… it’s my duty, my choice. I want to help you, because I know you didn’t choose to come here.”

Ken nodded, his gaze softening, his tone warm.

“Still, thank you. Honestly, your help feels like a miracle. So from now on, you’re my personal heroine - and no one else can save me but you.”

Lily grew even more flustered but smiled, her eyes sparkling with a gentle light.

“You… you’re exaggerating,” she tried to brush it off, but Ken grinned.

“Oh, you haven’t seen the full extent of my compliment skills,” he winked, clearly enjoying her bashfulness. “But seriously - I’m in. If you believe this is the right path, then I’m following you, Lily.”

For a moment, silence settled between them. The sun dipped lower, bathing everything in golden-orange hues, and Ken once again felt that same sense of trust he had the moment Lily first reached out her hand to him.

Lily, gathering her courage, finally said:

“Alright. It’s settled. Tomorrow at dawn, we’ll head to the Western Temple. But first, you need to rest. I live nearby, not far from the forest. Let’s go to my home - it’s safe, and you’ll be able to recover before we begin.”

Ken raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the offer.

“You live here? Near the forest?” he asked with interest, standing up and casting one last glance at the monument behind them.

“Yes, just a short walk from here,” Lily replied with a gentle smile. “It’s a safe place, and I know every inch of it. Tomorrow, we’ll head out with fresh strength.”

Ken looked at her once more, gratitude in his eyes, and nodded - ready to face whatever lay ahead.